Indiana Jones Adventure: Integrity

When it comes to one of the things Disney does best, right at the top of my list is the themed attractions. From the themed queue (line) to the attraction itself to the exit. The very best attractions tell a unified story from beginning to end and a great example of this complete theming is the Indiana Jones Adventure.

Imagineers call the queue for an attraction “Act I” of the story. This is where the stage is set and the story begins to be told. The Disneyland Encyclopedia says of this attraction queue, “At over a quarter-mile long, this would be the longest, and most densely detailed, queue in Disneyland history.”

{Coincidentally, WEDway Radio this week, in show #62, spent their entire episode discussing queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and it came on my iPod while I was typing this post. I highly recommend listening to it.}

From the moment you cross the entry (under the sign) of the Indiana Jones Adventure and enter the attraction’s environment you are immersed in the story of an ancient temple, recently found by Indiana Jones—who has now disappeared. The overgrown foliage, stuttering generator, strange markings throughout the temple, strange noises, and more all tell the story. There are even some hidden surprises—most of which get completely bypassed now thanks to Fastpass. When the ride first opened, they even handed out decoder cards so guests could decode the “maraglyphs” found throughout.

The ride itself takes you on a wild ride through the deepest interiors of the temple, encountering fire, snakes, insects, skeletons, and much more. And after the ride, the walk back out of the temple keeps you in the story, including more maraglyphs to decipher. Contributing to the realism of the exit to The Indiana Jones Adventure are two props from the movie: the mine car from Temple of the Forbidden Eye and the truck from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

All the pieces of this attraction, from the queue through the exit all the pieces work together to tell a single story. What you see on the outside is what you find on the inside. The story is consistent. In short, the attraction has integrity.

Dictionary.com defines integrity as:
“1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished”

Integrity is highlighted as a critical character trait of Godly people. The Apostle Paul tells Titus, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8) All the parts work together and give the same message.

• Psalm 25:11 – “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for and expect You.”
• Psalm 26:1 – “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I havewalked in my integrity, and I havetrusted in the LORD without wavering.”
• Proverbs 1:3 – “Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity.”
• Proverbs 10:9 – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
• Romans 5:4 – “And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.”
• Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.”

I’m not saying we have to be perfect—none of us are nor will we be this side of heaven—but that does not let us off the hook when it comes to growing in integrity. Part of integrity is acknowledging that we fall short. Contrary to popular belief, hypocrisy is not making mistakes or falling short, it is pretending to have a trait or to be someone that you know to be not true.

It’s easy to look good on the outside, but how are you on the inside? When people look beneath the surface you present to the world, do they find consistency and honesty? Is what you say you value reflected in your daily conduct? What story are you telling with your life, and do you tell it all the way through?